Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state...and many are rumored to be haunted!

1. 15 Haunted
Lighthouses
to explore in
Pure Michigan!
Dianna Stampfler

2. PromoteMichigan.com
Did you know…
Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state
—117 protect the Great Lakes shorelines, with the
oldest (Fort Gratiot) dating back to 1825. Many of
these lights are open to the public for tours, some
offer a B&B or “Keeper Program” and more than
two dozen are rumored to be haunted (perhaps
with the ghosts of former keepers).
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (www.GLLKA.com)
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

3. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost of Captain James S. Donahue — South Haven
A disabled veteran of the Civil War (losing his leg in the
Battle of the Wilderness), Captain James S. Donahue
began his service in South Haven in April, 1874—at the
age of 32. He retired in 1910 at the age of 75, after saving
15 lives. His ghost is said to still walk the halls of the
keeper’s residence, which sits on a bluff overlooking the
Black River, the beach, pier and lighthouse).
MichiganMaritimeMuseum.org
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

4. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost of Captain Bill Robinson—White River Light Station
Bill Robinson and his wife, Sarah, came to the Whitehall area in 1867
from England with the hopes of him securing work in the thriving
Lumber industry. Bill was instrumental in the first lighthouse being
built here in 1875 and he was rewarded for his service by being
appointed the first keeper. He served 44 years, until 1919, when he
passed away at the light. It is said that both he and Sarah still reside at
the lighthouse museum.
whiteriverlightstation.org
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

5. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghosts of Aaron & Julia Sheridan—South Manitou Island
A Civil War soldier, Aaron Sheridan and his wife, Julia,
began tending the South Manitou Island Lighthouse in
1866 until they died in a tragic boating accident just off
the coast of the island in 1878. Aaron, who lost the use of
an arm during his military service, was unable to save
himself, his wife or their infant son, Robert, that frigid
April day. It is believed their ghosts haunt the lighthouse.
www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/smilighthouse.htm
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

6. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghosts at Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Northport
There are different opinions as to the ghost(s) at Grand Traverse
Lighthouse—inside the Leelanau State Park in Northport. All three
theories are tied to former keepers: Peter Nelson (keeper from 1874-
1890), James McCormick (keeper from 1822-1938) or John Markin
(keeper from 1960-1967). Rumors of voices, footsteps and the smell
of bacon are attributed to someone!
grandtraverselighthouse.com
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

7. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost of Harrison “Tip” Miller—Beaver Head Island Light
Tip Miller was appointed keeper of the Beaver Head Island Light (on the
south end of the island) in 1863 along with his wife and their 10
children. He also worked at the lifesaving station at Whiskey Point,
where the St. James Harbor Light stood. This long-time resident still
believes to walk the grounds around the lighthouse, which is now part of
the Beaver Island Lighthouse School (part of the Charlevoix Public
Schools).
http://www.beaverisland.net/beaver-island-history/A_Rich_History/Beaver_Head_Lighthouse/
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

8. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost of John Herman—Waugoshance Shoal Light
John Herman tended this Lake Michigan light, just southwest
of Mackinaw City, from 1887 until 1900. This keeper had a
fondness for two things: a good practical joke and a good stiff
drink. Those two didn’t mix well on the night of October 14,
1900. After locking his assistant in the tower, the prankster is
believed to have fallen into the water and drowned. His ghost
continued to hang around for another 10 years, before the
light was decommissioned.
waugoshance.org
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

9. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost of Captain Joseph Townsend-Seul Choix Point
Countless people have had spirited encounters with the ghost of
Captain Joseph Townsend at this remote Upper Peninsula
lighthouse. After dying on August 12, 1910, his body was
embalmed in the basement and lay in state for nearly 3 weeks
while his family made the trek to pay their respects. A heavy
cigar smoker, the scent of his habit is just one of the many
unexplained situations that have been noted over time.
greatlakelighthouse.com
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

10. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost of Mary Terry—Sand Point Lighthouse
The first keeper at this 1868 Escanaba lighthouse was to be John Terry,
but he died before it was complete. His wife, Mary, was appointed in
his place—serving for 18 years until she died during a mysterious fire
in 1886. It is believed that she encountered an intruder breaking into
the lighthouse, that she was killed and a fire was started to disguise
her murder—which has never been solved. Her ghost is believed to
still haunt the museum.
http://www.deltahistorical.org/lighthouse.htm
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

11. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost of William Prior—Big Bay Point Lighthouse
Red-headed keeper William Prior was a workaholic, even
when it came to his son who assisted with duties at this
Lake Superior lighthouse. When the son, Edward, was
injured on the job in 1900 the hardnosed keeper shook it
off and failed to get his son treatment. Edward soon died
from an infection, and the last anyone saw William, he
was headed to the woods with a rope. His body was
found later that year and he is often seen walking the
grounds, still distraught. bigbaylighthouse.com
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

12. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost at Whitefish Point Light Station
The remodeled lifesaving crew quarters at Whitefish
Point along the Lake Superior shoreline, is rumored to
be haunted—and following the sinking of the Edmund
Fitzgerald, 40 years ago (November 10, 1975), that
makes sense. Paranormal activity has been reported
here for years, and many visitors to the B&B-style
complex report strange occurrences in the early
morning hours.
shipwreckmuseum.com
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

13. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghosts of Point Iroquois Light Station
The sight of a bloody Native American battle, shadowy
apparitions have been seen around the grounds here.
There are also reports that a ghost of a young girl has
been seen in the area—believed to be the victim of a
bear attack many years ago. Paranormal investigators
have been to this site many times, and strange activity is
always reported.
Point Iroquois Light Station
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

14. PromoteMichigan.com
The Crying Ghost at New Presque Isle Lighthouse
The ghost at this 1870 lighthouse, one of the tallest on
the Great Lakes, is rumored to be haunted by the wife of
a former keeper. Legend has it that he would lock her in
the tower when he would trek off to town to visit his
girlfriend. The cries of the heartbroken wife can be heard
echoing throughout the tower.
presqueislelighthouses.org
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

15. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost of Old Presque Isle Lighthouse
Even after this light was decommissioned and the tower
extinguished, the light was reported shining out into the
waters of Lake Huron for many years. The mechanics
were eventually removed from the tower, yet still the
light would shine. Keeper Lorraine Parris, who tended the
museum with her husband George, also reports many
visits he made following his death.
presqueislelighthouses.org
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

16. The Ghosts of Saginaw River Light Station
The tower at the old Saginaw River Light is rumored to be haunted,
perhaps by one of the husbands of Julia (Tobey) Brawn Way. Her first
husband, Peter Brawn, was the keeper until he took ill and she took
over duties. He later died. She remarried, and her second husband,
George Way became the head keeper…and then HE died. There
wasn’t a third husband (that we know of) and Julia was soon
removed from her duties.
saginawriver.com
PromoteMichigan.com
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

17. PromoteMichigan.com
The Ghost of Point aux Barques
The ghost at this historic beacon is believed to be that of
former keeper, Catherine Shook. Her husband, Peter, died
while he was serving as head keeper. She was appointed
in his place, and lived at the light with their eight children.
She died not long afterward, and her unsettled ghost—
dressed in a long white flowing dress—has been seen
walking throughout the house and the tower.
pointeauxbarqueslighthouse.org
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!

18. PromoteMichigan.com
For more on Michigan’s ghostly lights…
15 Haunted Lighthouses in Pure Michigan!